The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-28
APPEALING TO THE GIVERS
Speeches and Music at the Annual Meet
ing of the Associated Charities.
The Good Work That Was Accomplished BY
the Charitable in Relieving the City's
Poor People During the Past Year.

Handing the incIemency or the weather. By .
slight change of the announced programme, the
meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. John
Baitzly. of the English Lutheran Church. Fol-
lowing this, Rev. e. j. Gantz, Of Central Chris
tian Church, read portion of the twenty fifth
chapter Of Matthew's gospel. and portion OF
the Tenth chapter of Luke's gospel. Governor
Gray then addressed the audience. He said in
early times organization was not essential to
the doing of charitable work as it is now. 1t is
necessary now in gathering the means,
and not less in dispensing it;
necessary In ascertaining what app!i-
cants are unworthy; necessary in seeking out
thoss worthy of aid who too proud to apply
for it; necessary because now living in
an era when in the race for wealth great power
has passed into the hands of mercenary and
graspipe corporations. He believed that the
time will come when the heavy hand OF the
government will be laid on these corporations,
and their terrible power of control Of the neces-
cities of life will be taken away. There are
many persons who willing and ready to
work, who are obliged to struggle constantly
for the necessaries of life; others live easily.
with little effort, but why this distraction exists
the ALMIGHTY alone knows. tt does exist. how
ever, and the relieving of the wants OF the hon.
est poor is the nobess and most honorable work
that human beisgs can engage in.
nsnt of Nearer, my God. to Thee" which was
most artistically rendered by Miss Lottie
Adam.
Hon. ". F. Fishback was next announced.
He said that he first attended a meeting of the
society thirty years ago in its session at Roberts
Cbap@l. Its noble founders. James Blake, CAL
win Fletcher and others have passed away, but
their wor. continues Il was thought that the
old organization might not be adequate for the
increased work of the growing city. but it was
decided as the better plan TO continue it. So
eiety is based on devotion. Patriotism is devo-
tion Charity is peculiarly Christian virtue.
The psgans knew nothing of 1t. The teachings
and the life of Jesus Christ have made q won
derful change in human nature, and brought the
recognition of duty to others to a re 1nemeut
never before Thought of. Many years ago
homeless, friendless boy went into hotel in
New York city and curled up in one of the
chairs. He put out and wandered away to
the docks, where he went board of a fishing
vessel and asked for work The captain gave
HIM sonlerh hing to Eat and something to do. That
boy afterwards became a preacher IN this city,
and that is why good friend. Myron W.
Reed, had always kind word to say
for the poor, despised tramp The work
of the charitable organizations OF this city
10 practical and beneficial to the pnoiic welfare
When applicant comes to the Office OF the
ciety, some then goes with them to investi-
gate the case and find what ID needed. In the
past year 81 900 applica tions were made for aid;
16, 900 were relieved and 5000 were found to be
unworthy. The Flower Mission has done excel
dent service during the past year. The visitors
have called on 563 persons; their needs have
been relieved, their rooms cleaned and all done
that could be to make them comfortable. The
public has been generous in recognizing the
merits of the organization, and the profits of the
recent fair were more than $500 The other
societies have been doing equally well in their
against children. It would do them good to go
To the Orphans Home and the children
there baby is somewhat trou blesome at times.
but it Is q good thing TO have in the house. It
breaks the monotony Of life. Il
is an excellent thing for some
persons to unbsnd at times. gentleman
used to say that there some persons who
would be better if they rot drunk once. Ii
would bring them down among human beings.
X was stated in Of the city papsrs some
days ago that the County Commissioners gave
twenty five cents day to the asylum for each
child supported there. That il true, but it is no
special credit TO the commissioners It is not
optional with them. The law requires tt In
the coming week citizens will be solicited to aid
in supporting these charities. and he hoped that
all will give generously and cheerfully.
After excellent music by the quartet-Misses
Lottie Adam and Laura Hessling Messrs. A.
Smith and j. Lipmau-Rev. NJ. L. Haines, of
the First PRESBYTERIAN Church, came forward
and said he had been called on to make the most
important speech OF the evening account OF
his good looks and strong voice. He
talking for money for the work. All
have prayed for the poor, and now it is
necessary to give something. Mr.. Haines spoke
in his usual witty manner. and closed with
anecdoto of bow-legged man. who was warm
ing at a hotel fireplace, when a newsboy called
10 him. sinister. you're a-warpin." He wanted
each one to say to anyone near him who did not
do his dnty, s'You are warning mentally and
morally"
White the baskets were being passed, Mrs.
Scott sang as a solo an arrangement of Come,
Thou Fount of Every Blessing" Rev. r. V.
Hunter was then introduced He said that the
more the great questions of public economy
were studied the more one became lost- Charity
is doing good to others, but i: is useless to
.1ieve wants temporarily unless some permanent
good can be done. There are several dissolnte
sn%san in With this ssy wno have Ss sns
all the wickedness there Some say
boldly they are training their little girls for
immoral purposes There ought to be a law
acted by which these little girls could be taken
away from their unnatural parents and raised
In decent Christian surroundings There Is
law by which they could be sent to the Female
Reformatory. but that is not where they ought
TO There ought TO be home OF some kind
provided to which they can be taken and there
properly raised. The law should provide that
when Parents convicted of certain specific
offenses in addition to ine and imprisonment.
they should forfeit the custody OF their infant
children. and all good citizens should demand
this Of the Legislature.
Mr.. c. G.. Case the gentleman who is about 60
open the singing class at the z NJ G. A. build
ing. then sang ballad entitled, 1.-THE Two
Lives" He has a fine bass voice and sings we'll
The song compared the lives of q rich and a
poor maiden. 1t was strikingly appropriate
the OCCASION, and the singer euthusiastc-
ally applauded. but declined to sing again.
Rev o. G. MeCulloch was introduced and re-
ceivsd with applause. He said he had recently
come from Trafalgar square where the wretched,
helpless poor of London wished TO gather be-
meath the statue of that great who in
hour of trial said, England expects every man
10 do his duty" Those iaborine poor
and deserving OF sympathy. The poor oe Lon
don are the most miserable in the world The
greatest problem Of England TO-DAY is what to do
with its wretched poor. There were last week
in England 700. 600 people receiving charity out
aide OF pauper lunatics and criminals. It il wise
TO anticipate aud prevent this Ii is possible for
it to come here. and it will come unless steps
taken to prevent lt. Charitable people are trying
TO prevent this cry of hunger from becoming the
cry OF the wof. There time with
those who hunger when ces peration
and there is little hesitation the means
taken relieve it, whatever they may be.
IL il sometimes said half loaf Is better than
no bread. This is not true. IL one mnst starve
1t ia not well to prolong the agony. No
need starve here If he will work he may eat
and sleep at the Friendly lnn That instituiion